When Events Lead the Change: Four Powerful Examples of Sustainability in Action
Events have the power to shape a more sustainable world. From reducing waste to circular systems, discover four recent, real-life examples of MICE gatherings actively addressing their impact, and how yours can join the movement.
293 ViewsIf business events’ profits were a country, they’d be in the top 15 in the world. The Events Industry Council notes that “the $1.62 trillion of total GDP supported by global business events would rank the sector as the 13th largest economy globally.”
We’ve seen encouraging progress from this vital sector. To amplify the successes to date and the huge potential for positive change, we’re celebrating events demonstrating a deep commitment to sustainability.
“What is particularly encouraging to see – and something we’ve long advocated for, ” Milda Salciute, CMP, CED, Director of Events Consulting, noted in a recent MPI blog post, “is the increasing collaboration among stakeholders, venues, sponsors, and suppliers, to align their sustainability goals. Across association and corporate events, we see momentum build as businesses become more eager to embrace sustainable practices. However, while reducing the environmental footprint is important, it is essential to also prioritise the social aspect – diversity, equity and inclusion – to ensure a more positive and meaningful event legacy.”
We’ve had the privilege of supporting some key players.
The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS) has been tracking its Congress’s impacts for a number of years, and is committed to inspiring action, reducing waste, achieving net zero by offsetting unavoidable emissions, and ensuring social responsibility. Its 2024 event aimed to eliminate 90% of single-use plastic, polystyrene, and PVC.
The ICCA Congress 2024 has a proud history of improving its key event’s operational sustainability with our support, and, in 2024, widened its scope to include impact measurement and management, supported by our partner, #MEET4IMPACT. Together, we implemented the four key pillars of sustainable event management, social legacy, education and professional development, and innovation and leadership, with a specific focus on a more robust implementation of operational sustainability initiatives.
Intermoda, Mexico, has a clear vision for exhibitors, buyers, suppliers, partners, and sponsors to commit to a sustainability and legacy strategy that drives positive change in the industry. Their Sustainable Exhibitor Award celebrates an exhibitor integrating responsible practices into their processes, products, and operations, and encouraging innovation and leadership for a more sustainable future for fashion in LATAM. We support these efforts in partnership #MEET4IMPACT.
FIEXPO Latin America is on a mission to accelerate a revolution towards regeneration through events in Latin America. It focuses on strategic alignment, education for transformation, circularity, and climate action. Among other goals, it set a target it set a target of raising awareness of the event’s sustainability initiatives, challenges, and learnings. This was successfully integrated into the programme educating suppliers, partners, the FIEXPO team and attendees. We support these efforts in partnership #MEET4IMPACT.
